A partial lunar eclipse on August 7th won’t be visible in the United States, yet it carries the energy of Sun and Mars in Leo. This explodes the power of the element of Fire and the Life Force. The combination, which has been in effect for the last few weeks, brings a huge surge of energy. But like all energy, it requires consciousness, a channel for the drive towards action, which it triggers.

photo: Sarah Fuhro

Give this eclipse a moment of your time and awareness. It takes place at 2:11 pm EDT on Monday, August 7, daylight hours here in North America. But the view of the full Moon has already begun to light up the night sky. As with each full Moon, the Lunar Lady comes out of the bright orb of the Sun and shines in her own light. This can represent for us, the lunar aspect of ourselves: the side, which knows without words, the intuitive, visionary and dreamtime portion of our soul.

photo: Bruce Lhuillier

‘The storm over, all Nature rejoices in brilliant sunshine. The surge of life and love after a major crisis. The joy and power of new beginnings.’

This is the verbal image of the Sun’s degree, the Sabian Symbol for his position at the time of the eclipse. If times have been difficult over the last year, this is a moment of reconfiguration. The Sun in Leo offers you a new outlook, or even a breakthrough on the material plane at this Lunar eclipse.

photo: Sarah Fuhro

Leo, the Sun’s sign is the joy and expression of the self. Aquarius, the Moon’s sign is about community, about visions of the future. Here is the tension for this combination….how does the individual thrive amidst the needs and expectations of the larger group? How do we find balance between responsibility towards organization and responsibility to hear and follow free flowing inspiration? Long ago, at this time of year, I had a dream in which I was carrying water in a pail hooked on a yoke across my shoulders. But the yoke was impossible to carry this way, because it needed another pail for balance. When I went back and filled a second pail with water, I could now carry it up the hill. I took the dream to be about Aquarius, the Water Bearer. Aquarius full Moon needs the joyous balance of Leo, the Sun.

This Lunar eclipse chart reflects a very old story in the rivalry between Jupiter (Zeus) and Pluto (Hades). The two planets make an exact 90° angle to one another called a ‘square.’ Jupiter rules Mt. Olympus. He is the king of the gods, the ruler above ground, but his brother, Pluto, governs the Underworld. Hades is full of resentment. Zeus is oblivious. Zeus had a gorgeous wife and innumerable sexual conquests. Hades ruled alone, until the entry of Persephone in his subterranean kingdom. His jaws open wide for mortal flesh.

photo: Bruce Lhuillier

Jupiter had to deal with the limitations imposed by Pluto. Mortality and immortality play back and forth between these two mighty brothers. Life on earth cannot continue without Death. But neither life nor death is satisfied with this arrangement. Somehow this moment in time is a reminder of that conflict and all the power it holds over us. This is the season of Lughnasadh or Lammas, of harvest, which means death for the grain, but life for animals and humans. It’s a strange time of year. Sun and heat throb around us, yet the diminishing daylight and the harvest are reminders of approaching fall and winter.

photo: Bruce Lhuillier

And then there is Neptune who rules another kingdom, that of the Sea. With Pluto he creates a Yod in this chart, a powerful finger pointing at the Sun. ‘Take it seriously, Leo,’ Pluto and Neptune say. ‘You are the playful, fun-loving sign of the zodiac, but we have deep secrets and deep treasures, only accessed by those who stop to listen. Only the compassionate ones who hold life tenderly in their hands make it through this perilous time.

photo: Bruce Lhuillier

Take a moment to hear and feel the full Moon in this season of eclipse. The August insects sing praises to our Lady Luna as she rises in the sky during the next few nights. Feel her reflection in your throat.

Sarah Fuhro sarahfuhro@gmail.com Keeping our Ancient Wisdom Alive

The Wisdom Tradition evolved over the centuries to address our deepest human needs. Sarah Fuhro is a practitioner of its many forms; including Astrology, Tarot, Flower Essences and Druidry. In addition to personal consultations, Sarah teaches workshops and private classes, offering both clients and students knowledge powerfully rooted in the past, presented in the language of the present. To learn more, please visit www.sarahfuhro.com.